Becoming a Deity from Planting the Bodhi Tree

The sound of a message notification from the terminal interrupted.

Ji Jing Qiu ended his afternoon nap.

The message was from Miss Mei, with just one sentence:

"[Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall owes me a favor, you might want to consider owing me a favor too.]"

Recalling Elder Mu's words from the morning, it was clear she wanted him to study at Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall under her name.

Ji Jing Qiu did not refuse and replied with four words:

"Thank you, Miss Mei!"

Through the cultivation of the Visualization Method, he confirmed that Martial Arts indeed benefitted his condition. Even if it couldn't cure him, it could alleviate some of the pain.

Therefore, he now needed systematic Martial Arts training.

Ji Jing Qiu located the address of Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall on the terminal and followed the navigation to get there.

The Martial Arts Hall was surprisingly located in the middle to upper tiers, having been established three years ago.

Taian City had no shortage of Martial Arts Halls, but most were situated in the middle to lower tiers.

In this metropolis resembling a primordial forest, it also had a vertical structure akin to a forest community.

The higher one lived, the higher their overall social status naturally was.

To be able to open a Martial Arts Hall in the middle to upper tiers, the energy this hall possessed was clearly not to be underestimated.

Moments later.

Ji Jing Qiu stood in front of the Martial Arts Hall entrance.

Ahead, a group of people was crowding around, seemingly lining up, with many being parents accompanying their children.

Getting closer, he could hear many people whispering in conversation.

Ji Jing Qiu listened for a while and learned that Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall had gained prominence at the recent Martial Arts Association demonstration, and these people had come to sign up after hearing about it.

"Queue up in order, don't crowd. Anyone who cuts in line will be disqualified from registering."

A man with a crew cut, dressed in training clothes, strode out of the Martial Arts Hall, his voice booming like a bell as he warned the people in line.

The crowd quickly returned to order, forming a long line, with Ji Jing Qiu squeezed toward the back of the line.

"Liu Xi Senior Brother! How many people is the Martial Arts Hall accepting this time?" someone in the crowd asked.

"As long as you pay, you can all enter."

The crew-cut man, referred to as Liu Xi, replied casually.

He seemed to be waiting for someone, standing at the entrance and looking expectantly.

"Is the True Inheritor position available too?" someone asked impatiently.

Liu Xi rolled his eyes and ignored it.

Just then,

the person Liu Xi had come out to wait for arrived.

It was a young boy about the same age as Ji Jing Qiu, warmly embraced by Liu Xi as they walked into the Martial Arts Hall together, without queuing.

"Hey, are you here alone too?"

Someone suddenly tapped Ji Jing Qiu on the shoulder.

Ji Jing Qiu turned around to find a strong peer standing behind him.

"I'm Zhao Qian, sixteen, from Dragon Tiger Second Middle School. How about you?" said the boy cheerfully.

"I'm Ji Jing Qiu, also sixteen, here alone."

"See, we're all grown-ups, we're adults, yet to enroll in Martial Arts, some are still dragged around by their parents."

Zhao Qian said boldly, then mysteriously added,

"By the way, do you know who was just welcomed into the Martial Arts Hall?"

"Who?"

"Zhang Xingshan, the grandson of the Order Office director!"

Zhao Qian snickered,

"The rumors are true, the old master of the Martial Arts Hall has been hired as the Martial Arts Chief Instructor at the Order Office. Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall is officially legit now, riding on official support."

Ji Jing Qiu was stunned.

*These days, running a Martial Arts Hall, to be blunt, if it's not black it's at least somewhat gray. Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall's ability to open in the middle to upper tiers and collaborate with the Order Office indicates its path to legitimacy.*

Zhao Qian had a well-informed network, and Ji Jing Qiu learned a lot from him.

For instance, the Martial Arts Hall students were divided into True Inheritors and Outer Sect.

Outer Sect could enter by paying a fee, but they were destined never to touch the core teachings of the Martial Arts Hall.

As for True Inheritors, the considerations were more complicated.

Talent was certainly a priority, but character and other aspects also had to be considered.

Being a True Inheritor meant being a core disciple of the Martial Arts Hall, which also implied being highly bound to the Martial Arts Hall and bearing corresponding responsibilities.

Simply put, their successes and failures were tied together.

However, Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall was now on the rise, with rumors that the old master had not only been appointed as the Martial Arts Chief Instructor at the Order Office but had also established connections with the local Security Bureau.

Being accepted under Master Yang would undoubtedly elevate their status.

As a side note, Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall was quite expensive, with the Outer Sect requiring a fee of one hundred thousand Federation coins.

*Ji Jing Qiu mused, wondering how much of a favor Miss Mei had done for him, hoping she could secure him a substantial discount.*

After queuing for half an hour,

it was finally Ji Jing Qiu's turn.

"Little brother, fill out a form, then head over there to pay... Wait, it's you?"

Ji Jing Qiu was about to move to the side to fill out the form when a person from the Martial Arts Hall stopped him.

The other's tone suddenly shifted from a calm to an obviously surprised one.

This was none other than the leader of the three people Ji Jing Qiu had brushed shoulders with in the lower region that morning.

He waved over another Martial Arts Hall student to replace him in recruitment duty, pulled Ji Jing Qiu aside, and bowed in inquiry:

"I am Yang Yao. If I am not mistaken, little brother also knows Miss Mei?"

Ji Jing Qiu recognized the individual.

He took out his text message and said, "I'm Ji Jing Qiu. Miss Mei said this is a place to learn martial arts."

Yang Yao carefully took the phone, browsed through the message, and confirmed the sender. He now had an idea.

He handed back the phone and then cupped his hands, saying:

"I understand. Little brother, please wait here for a moment. I'll go inform the master."

Yang Yao quickly left, signaling to someone as he did: "Xi, attend to this young brother."

Soon, Liu Xi, who had previously stepped out to maintain order, walked over, smiling and inviting Ji Jing Qiu into the Martial Arts Hall.

Behind him,

Zhao Qian's eyes widened in surprise.

He watched eagerly as Ji Jing Qiu received special treatment from Yang Yao, the senior brother of the hall, and was invited into the depths of the Martial Arts Hall.

The name was Ji...

Which vice-director above in Taian City had the surname Ji?

Wait a second... Could it be that this guy's surname was actually Ji?!

...

Ji Jing Qiu entered the Martial Arts Hall.

The interior was vast, filled with silhouettes sweating profusely, kicking, and punching. There were also several arenas where fierce competitions were underway between students, closely monitored by instructors ready to intervene and correct mistakes.

There were more students here than Ji Jing Qiu had anticipated.

The students were divided into two groups; one was of tattooed men, mostly belonging to gang families, and the other was of boys around Ji Jing Qiu's age.

"Little brother, what should I call you?"

"Ji Jing Qiu."

"I'm Liu Xi. I'm twenty-one this year. You can call me Xi, or if you're gracious, Brother Xi. Our Martial Arts Hall covers various disciplines, including boxing and grappling. What are you interested in, Brother Ji?"

"Brother Xi, I'm interested in learning about the Visualization Method," Ji Jing Qiu said straightforwardly.

"The Visualization Method?" Liu Xi rubbed his chin. "How old are you, Brother Ji, and have you ever practiced Martial Arts before?"

"No, I just turned sixteen."

"Then there is no rush; the Visualization Method involves Spiritual Cultivation and requires the utmost caution. I suggest you start with the Pile Skill. Martial Arts are like climbing a mountain, requiring step-by-step progression with solid foundations, and reckless..."

As Liu Xi advised and explained, Yang Yao quickly returned.

"Young brother Ji, the master wants to see you. Please, this way!"

He led the way, guiding Ji Jing Qiu to an inner room at the back of the Martial Arts Hall.

Upon entering, the strong smell of medicine was accompanied by an undeniable scent of blood.

An elderly man with a tall, sturdy frame sat cross-legged, his beard and hair unkempt, with bushy eyebrows and a prominent nose exuding an imposing aura of authority.

At first glance, Ji Jing Qiu felt as if he was looking at a golden-maned lion king.

The old man spoke directly, "I am Yang Yan, the master of this hall. May I ask what your relationship is with Miss Mei?"

Ji Jing Qiu thought for a moment, "Employment relationship."

The old man understood but remained slightly puzzled.

*The mysterious Miss Mei, with her legacy, choosing to send Ji Jing Qiu, who could employ such a figure, to learn Martial Arts here was indeed curious.*

*Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall might currently be on the rise, but compared with certain secretive societies, it was still quite ordinary.*

Nonetheless, he refrained from probing further. *Often, knowing too much wasn't beneficial.*

*Additionally, when an ally asks for a favor, one should exert their utmost effort.*

Yang Yan cheerfully said, "Miss Mei has done me a great favor. You want to learn Martial Arts, I'll teach you for free."

"Thank you, Master Yang!" Ji Jing Qiu bowed solemnly, internally astonished at how considerable Miss Mei's favor was.

To avoid any trouble, Yang Yan gestured for him to sit down and made things clear from the start:

"Martial Arts Hall students are generally divided into True Inheritors and ordinary. Ordinary disciples, pay and learn, but they're destined not to access the school's True Skills.

True Inheritors can access the core True Skills, meaning being highly bound to the Martial Arts Hall, like Yang Yao and the others, they call me master instead of teacher.

Of course, you are an exception, little brother. You may call me teacher, and I will still impart to you the True Skills.

My Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall currently offers two entry-level Body Skills Cultivation Techniques and three entry-level Combat Skills. You may choose one of each to practice, and I will teach you free of charge, how about it?"